Local, state and federal law enforcement officers in Nashville, Tennessee and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota began arresting 29 individuals this morning, after a federal indictment was unsealed listing a variety of charges, including sex trafficking of juveniles and conspiring to sex traffic juveniles, obstruction of justice, perjury, auto theft, and credit card fraud. The 24-count indictment was announced by Jerry E. Martin, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, at a mid-morning press conference in Nashville.

The indictment results from an investigation that began in 2008 and alleges that the defendants are involved in or are associates of the gangs- the Somali Outlaws, the Somali Mafia, and the Lady Outlaws, all connected to one another.

“Trafficking children for sex is intolerable and the Department of Justice will aggressively enforce trafficking and other laws to eliminate these types of deplorable acts,” said U.S. Attorney Jerry Martin. “As shown here today, law enforcement agencies at every level will come together to bring the full force of justice to bear on individuals who choose to profit by victimizing innocent children.”

The indictment alleges that between 2000 and 2010, members and associates of the gangs transported underage Somali and African American females from the Minneapolis, Minnesota area to Nashville, Tennessee, for the purpose of having the females engage in sex acts for money and other items of value. The indictment alleges the females being used by the defendants for the sex trafficking included some that were13 years of age and younger. The indictment also alleges the sexual assault of an 18-year-old female. The sex trafficking offenses carry a penalty of not less than 15 years to life imprisonment.

The indictment further charges that members and associates of the gangs conspired to obstruct the investigation and committed perjury during the course of testimony before the federal grand jury investigating the case. The indictment also alleges that members and associates of the gangs engaged in the stealing of a motor vehicle for the purpose of using the vehicle to engage in credit card fraud, with a loss to one credit card company in the amount of $231,000 in approximately a one year period.

“Human traffickers abuse innocent people, undermine our public safety, and often use their illicit proceeds to fund sophisticated criminal organizations,” said ICE Director John Morton. “ICE is committed to bringing these criminals to justice and rescuing their victims from a life in the shadows. We will continue to fight the battle to end human trafficking both here in the United Stated and around the globe.”

“Today’s arrests demonstrate the importance of cooperation between state, local and federal law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of organized crime,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Amy S. Hess. “ Criminal organizations are not limited by physical boundaries or state lines. The crimes of human trafficking, especially for the sex trade, and identity theft reach across our nation and directly, sometimes permanently, impact the lives of victims and their families. The FBI will continue to focus on the disruption and dismantlement of these organizations and bring them to justice.”

TBI Director Mark Gwyn said, "This case is proof of how critical criminal intelligence support and analytical support is to an investigation. The information sharing and dedication by law enforcement agencies in this case is a testament to the lengths agencies will go to protect children."

This case was investigated by the St. Paul Minnesota Police Department, ICE- Homeland Security Investigation, the FBI, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Van Vincent, of the Middle District of Tennessee.

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